Snake River Canyon (Wyoming)

For the area known as Snake River Canyon in southern Idaho, see Snake River Canyon (Idaho).
Snake River Canyon/Grand Canyon
Snake River near Alpine, Wyoming
Country United States
State Wyoming
County Lincoln
Source
 - elevation 5,800 ft (1,768 m)
 - coordinates 43°13′56″N 110°46′43″W / 43.23222°N 110.77861°W [1]
Mouth Alpine, Wyoming
 - elevation 5,640 ft (1,719 m) [1]
 - coordinates 43°10′28″N 111°00′04″W / 43.17444°N 111.00111°WCoordinates: 43°10′28″N 111°00′04″W / 43.17444°N 111.00111°W [1]

The Snake River Canyon (also known as the Grand Canyon) is formed by the Snake River in western Wyoming south of Jackson Hole.[2]

The Snake River Canyon along US26/89 near Hoback Junction, Wyoming

At the southern end of this canyon is the town of Alpine, Wyoming where the Snake River meets the Greys River and the Salt River at Palisades Reservoir on the Wyoming-Idaho border. It is a popular destination for rafting trips and is known for having some of the best white-water rafting in the United States. Running through the canyon is Highway 89.

Geology

The Snake River cuts through a fold and thrust belt on its way from Hoback, Wyoming to Alpine, Wyoming. The North American Plate has pushed against the Farallon Plate to create many geologic features including the folds and thrusts visible in the Snake River Canyon in Wyoming.

Fold and thrust in the Snake River Canyon

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Grand Canyon". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2013-1-20. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ↑ Pine Creek, WY (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved 2013-1-20. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)